the wellness magazine for new york / new jersey … · mography frequency, vaccination and...
TRANSCRIPT
T H E W E L L N E S S M A G A Z I N E
F O R N E W Y O R K / N E W J E R S E Y V E T E R A N S
S U M M E R 2 0 0 3
AV D V A N T A G EAVE T E R A N S ’
3 Outsmarting osteoporosis
2 Study shows reformefforts improve VA care
6 Northport VA celebrates 75 years of caring
The quality of healthcare veterans that receive from the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) has improved significantly, according to a VA study
recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine. A major over-
haul of the healthcare system that began in 1995 led to these improvements.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi recently said, “VA is the benchmark
of quality for many areas of healthcare—including patient safety, computerized patient
records and bar coding. This study demonstrates how VA’s performance measurements,
accountability and incentives for improvement led to more rapid improvement rates.”
In this study, researchers compared preventive, acute and chronic care quality indi-
cators with similar data from the Medicare fee-for-service program, using data from
VA’s External Peer Review Program. Researchers from VA, Brigham and Women’s
Hospital, the National Quality Forum and the University of California participated.
The current study represented all VA locations nationwide and included between
50,000 and 90,000 individual medical records each year since 1995. Reviewers gathered
data on standard quality-of-care indicators, including preventive care markers like mam-
mography frequency, vaccination and colorectal cancer screening. The data also includ-
ed quality outpatient care markers such as reaching target blood pressure readings for
patients with hypertension, prescribing aspirin within 24 hours of a myocardial infarc-
tion (heart attack), screening for cholesterol and controlling diabetes and heart disease.
Outpatient preventive care markers included vaccinations and other screenings.
Researchers found all quality-of-care indicators measured by VA between 1994 and
2000 improved. They also found VA outperformed Medicare on all 11 markers the two
systems had in common between 1997 and 1999, as well as on 12 of 13 indicators mea-
sured between 2000 and 2001. The study also compared the VA health system’s quality
of care with Medicare fee-for-service care. For all measures that the two systems had in
common, VA performed better and improved faster.
In 2002, the Institute of Medicine recognized VA for implementing the kind of
changes it had recommended the previous year to improve the quality of healthcare
in the U.S.
Every single employee in the VA New York/New Jersey Network should be
proud of the work they do to achieve these high standards. Our nation’s veterans
surely deserve the very best, and these study results demonstrate that VA continues
to strive to provide the highest level of care.
We’r e j u s t a p h o n e c a l l a w a y
Veterans, do you need information about medication dosages
or prescription interactions, or do you have questions about
your general health? Day or night, get answers to all your
healthcare questions by calling the VA Nurses Helpline,
24 hours a day, at 1-800-877-6976.
James J. Farsetta, FACHE
Network Director
http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
Study shows reform efforts improve VA care
Editor: Gerald Culliton
Joseph Sledge, Northport VA
John Mazzulla, NY Harbor HCS
Peter Juliano, NY Harbor HCS
Al Hong, Bronx VA
Sandra Warren, NJ HCS
Nancy Winter, Hudson Valley VA
Osteoporosis, the condition
that causes bones to
shrink and become brittle
and susceptible to fracture, affects
10 million Americans, 80 percent
of whom are women. It is estimat-
ed that osteoporosis is the culprit
behind more than 1.5 million frac-
tures annually. Yet it is often
called a “silent disease” because
symptoms of bone fragility may
not appear until something such
as a fracture points to its exis-
tence. If osteoporosis is caught in
its early stages, lifestyle changes
like diet and exercise as well as
medication may slow down or
arrest bone loss well before seri-
ous damage occurs.
Boning upWhy is osteoporosis so com-
mon? Much of the answer lies in
the nature of our bones. Until a
woman is in her mid-30s, bones
are constantly being broken down
and rebuilt. But after about age 30,
hormonal changes trigger a loss in
bone density, making them thinner
and more brittle. After menopause,
when the body stops producing
bone-friendly estrogen, bone loss
occurs more rapidly, leaving seniors
at a growing risk.
While osteoporosis is primarily
a disease that strikes seniors, age
isn’t the only factor. Other risk
factors include:
• a personal history of fracture
after age 45
• a family history of osteoporosis
enough vitamin D from sunlight,
you may need a daily supplement.
Exercise. Get out and exercise
for 30 minutes at least three times
a week. Weight-bearing exercises
such as walking and gardening are
best. Don’t smoke, and don’t drink
too much alcohol. Before beginning
any exercise program, check with
your VA healthcare provider.
Medication. If necessary, your
doctor might prescribe additional
medications.
Falls. Prevent outside falls by
using a cane or a walker and wear-
ing rubber-soled shoes. Inside, keep
your rooms free of clutter, don’t
walk in socks or stockings and use
a rubber bath mat in the shower.
Taking osteoporosis seriously
and paying attention to your risk
factors and lifestyle can help keep
your bones strong. Regular check-
ups with your healthcare provider
will also help fight the disease.
For more information on VA ser-
vices for women veterans, check the
VA NY/NJ website at http://www.
va.gov/visns/visn03/womenvets/
wvc.asp or visit the national website
at http://www.va.gov/womenvet. ■
• Caucasian or
Asian ethnicity
• a small bone
frame
• smoking
• alcoholism
• poor nutrition
• an inactive lifestyle
• certain medications,
such as long-term use of costi-
costeroids or thyroid replacement
therapy and certain chemotherapy
drugs
Testing 1, 2, 3In the past, you might not have
learned you had the bone-thinning
disease osteoporosis until a broken
rib or hip landed you in the hospi-
tal. Today, however, you can ask
your VA healthcare provider about
testing and screening that gives
you precise information about
bone density.
Skeleton keysOnce you’ve taken stock of your
bones, talk to your VA healthcare
provider about how to prevent
and manage osteoporosis. Steps
range from the simple to the
sophisticated.
Lifestyle. First, eat a healthy,
balanced diet that includes
enough calcium and vitamin D.
Get 1,000 milligrams (mg) of cal-
cium daily—1,500 mg daily after
age 65—from low-fat dairy prod-
ucts, leafy greens, broccoli, sar-
dines with bones and enriched
juices. Also, if you’re not getting
S U M M E R 2 0 0 3 • 3
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E
Outsmarting osteoporosis
This year marks a special
time for us at Northport
VA Medical Center—our
75th anniversary as a provider of
quality healthcare services to vet-
erans. Looking back, we take
pride in the progress we have
made in helping to better meet our
veterans’ needs—a mission that
continues to guide us today.
1916: Northport VAMC getsits beginning
The year 1928 is thought of by
many Americans as the last great
year of the Roaring ’20s. It was the
climax of a flamboyant period in
American history, marked by
shocking new lifestyles, widespread
tory of Northport VAMC has its
beginning.
1928: VA hospital opens for veterans
By 1921, Congress was strug-
gling to provide veterans from
World War I with the medical care
prosperity and, for many, the fulfill-
ment of the American dream.
One person living the dream
was John Dennis Ryan. Under his
guidance, the Anaconda Copper
Company became one of the most
successful industrial enterprises in
American history. Although he
died in 1933 during the Great
Depression, his assets were said
to total more than $700,000,000.
During World War I, he served as a
member of the War Council of the
American Red Cross. Shortly after-
ward, he became Director of the
Bureau of Aircraft Production and
was eventually appointed Assistant
Secretary of War in August 1916.
It is with John D. Ryan that the his-
6 • S U M M E R 2 0 0 3
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
Northport VA celebrates
The honorable Anthony J. Principi, Secretaryof Veterans Affairs, gives the keynote speechat Northport VA Medical Center’s 75thanniversary celebration.
Above, left to right: Robert S. Schuster, Northport VAMC Director; Anthony J. Principi, Secretary ofVeterans Affairs; Dorothy Oxendine, National President of the American Gold Star Mothers; and James J. Farsetta, Network Director, VISN 3, cut the ceremonial cake at Northport VA Medical Center’s75th anniversary celebration.
they were entitled to through the
Bureau of War Risk Insurance. So
federal lawmakers established the
United States Veterans’ Bureau
and assigned public health service
hospitals to the new agency’s con-
trol. Brigadier General Frank T.
Hines headed the Bureau for seven
years until being named the first
Administrator of Veterans Affairs
in 1930.
Early in his leadership, Hines
realized the need for new and
sophisticated hospitals and ap-
pointed a committee to choose a
site in the New York area for
what would be the Bureau’s most
modern 1,000-bed hospital. The
committee considered more than
250 locations in Connecticut, New
Jersey and New York. Hines finally
approved the committee’s recom-
mendation to build the giant hospi-
tal on Long Island, close to the
tiny, but picturesque, Northport
harbor village. The government
purchased 552 acres of farmland
for approximately $193,000. The
owner of the land was none other
than John D. Ryan.
2003: Northport honors momsof deceased servicemembers
On April 15, 2003, Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi
traveled to Northport VAMC to
help celebrate the facility’s 75 years
of dedication and caring. The cele-
bration began with the unveiling of
a Gold Star Mother Monument in
the center’s outpatient pavilion.
Secretary Principi; Richard Kitson,
President of the Vietnam Veterans
of America, Chapter 11; Dorothy
he led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Secretary Principi, in his keynote
address, recognized Vivienne
Ryder, a Northport VA volunteer
for more than 57 years, and Albert
Mehl, a VA employee with more
than 60 years of federal service.
Since 1928, Northport VA has
grown substantially, providing a
broad spectrum of medical, sur-
gical and rehabilitative care to
thousands of Long Island veter-
ans. As American servicemen and
women continue to advance the
causes of freedom, Northport’s
staff and volunteers, as the care-
givers of veterans, are preparing
to care for another generation of
America’s heroes. ■
Oxendine, National President of
the American Gold Star Mothers;
James J. Farsetta, Network
Director, VISN 3; and Robert S.
Schuster, Northport VAMC
Director, together unveiled the
monument, which pays tribute to
the mothers of servicemembers
who were killed in the line of
duty. The Vietnam Veterans of
America, Chapter 11, funded the
monument.
Aniceto Declet, a 105-year-old
WWI veteran, began the formal
anniversary program, which is
located in the same site of the
hospital’s 1928 dedication. With
help from the children of VA’s
Wee Luv ’Em Day Care Center,
S U M M E R 2 0 0 3 • 7
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E
75 years of caring
POW/MIA poster honors troops
September 19 marks
POW/MIA Recognition
Day, but as with tradition,
this year’s poster was unveiled
on June 26 during a national
organization’s annual meet-
ing, according to Jerry D.
Jennings, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense for
POW/Missing Personnel
Affairs. The dominant picture
on this year’s poster, taken in
March, reveals infantrymen
fighting in the desert during
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jennings says the words
“You are not forgotten,”
which grace the POW/MIA
flag, “... remind us of their sacrifice for our freedom.” He also says
the rippling red, white and blue banner on the poster shows clearly
and proudly through the battle smoke and leads American warriors
forward. “Yes, we are at war,” he says calmly. ■
patient’s emotional well-being
plays an important role in his
or her recovery from illness
or injury. At the Bronx VA Medical
Center, this concept is supported by
a unique program not typically
found in a healthcare setting: a
computer lab offering veterans the
chance to learn technological skills
while connecting with loved ones.
The Bronx VAMC information
technology specialists and volun-
teers, with support from the Eastern
Paralyzed Veterans Association
(EPVA), developed a computer lab
to help paralyzed veterans use com-
puters to communicate with family
and friends. The Bronx VAMC
is a 315-bed tertiary care medical
center with several specialties,
including a 65-bed spinal cord
injury (SCI) center that cares for
paralyzed veterans who don’t have
the use of some or all of their limbs.
The lab provides mental stimula-
for him and then showed him how
to use it. Shortly thereafter, he was
in contact with many friends and
family members. You even assisted
him in creating a stunning anniver-
sary card for my mother for their
50th wedding anniversary that
included their wedding photo.
Thanks to the program, my father
took home a computer configured
to meet his specific needs and a new
skill of which he was quite proud.”
Linda Bund, Director of
Education and Information
Management at the Bronx VAMC,
describes the program as an oasis
for veterans who suffer from debili-
tating physical limitations. “It’s
not exactly alternative medi-
cine,” says Bund, “but it certain-
ly has improved the patients’
enthusiasm to get well!”
Donations keep program goingDonations by veterans groups
provide much of the special equip-
ment used in this program and all
of the computers that discharged
veterans take home. The Bronx VA
owes much credit to the EPVA and,
specifically, Pete Addesso, its presi-
dent, who spearheaded the initiative
to build the lab and continues to
support it with EPVA resources.
Anyone interested in donating
quality computer equipment (586
Megahertz or higher) for use by our
veterans should contact the EPVA
at (718) 803-3782, ext. 203. ■
tion and physical motivation for
the veterans, while allowing access
to their families and the world
beyond the medical center walls.
Personal training shows resultsThis experience can be both
exhilarating and challenging for
veterans, many who have never
used a computer. Bronx VA volun-
teers and staff provide one-on-one
training to help veterans feel com-
fortable with learning the new
skills that can enrich their lives
and help them recover better.
Ms. Catherine Watkins, the
daughter of a spinal cord–injured
patient who spent four months
recovering at the medical center,
recently wrote the medical center
director, praising the program: “My
father, age 77, was resistant to the
idea of computers and felt worn out
from his extended hospital stay, but
your staff set up an e-mail account
4 • S U M M E R 2 0 0 3
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
Employee Robert Connolly helps veteran Stanley Kevelson master computer skills at the Bronx VAMC.
Technology speeds healing
A
Alf
red
Ho
ng
, D
irec
tor
of
Pu
bli
c A
ffai
rs
BY JIM CONNELL, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Bronx VA goes beyondmedicine in veteran care
No other healthcare system
matches VA in the area
of research. To date, VA
research has been awarded three
Nobel Prizes, one of which Dr.
Roslyn Yalow of the Bronx VA
Medical Center received. In addi-
tion, VA research has received six
Lasker Awards and numerous other
accolades. With $1.3 billion in
annual congressional funding, VA
not only has advanced medicine but
also has attracted public attention
to recent clinical studies, includ-
ing knee surgery outcomes, heart
disease diagnoses and treatment,
prophylactic pneumonia vaccina-
tion, diabetes care, HIV-1 and
hepatitis C research.
Why is it important to maintain excellence in research when thereare so many other needs to be filled?
It’s important because VA offers
a unique approach to research that
significantly benefits our veterans’
health. Nearly 80 percent of our
VA’s research investigators are also
active clinicians—quite rare in the
current research
environment. In
many non-VA
institutions, clin-
ician investiga-
tors increasingly
face demands
to select either
research or a
clinical track as
a career choice.
pared us for the next challenging
frontier in neurobiological research
and understanding of memory.
In the future, I anticipate our
focus in VA research will be on
neurodegenerative and chronic
degenerative diseases, as our
veteran population ages and
becomes more at risk for associated
medical problems. Having more
than $10 million in research fund-
ing puts the Bronx VA Medical
Center in a strong position to begin
to tackle these issues for our veter-
ans and to prepare for increased
clinical research support directed at
these important health concerns—
now and in the future. ■
Working at the interface of health-
care delivery and research provides
VA researchers with an unparalleled
environment, allowing them to see
their results rapidly applied. This,
in turn, helps improve patient care.
Where do we see VA research challenges in the future?
In the 1960s and 1970s, bio-
chemical research laid the ground-
work for our current advances in
biotechnology and gene therapy.
In the 1980s and 1990s, we saw
tremendous progress in immunolo-
gy research, which improved our
understanding of molecular and
cellular communication. This pre-
S U M M E R 2 0 0 3 • 5
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E
Nearly 80 percent of
our VA’s researchers
are also active
clinicians.
Unparalleled research at VAmakes a difference in patient care
BY ERIK LANGHOFF,
BRONX CHIEF OF STAFF
Erik Langhoff, BronxChief of Staff, discusseshow VA research helpsimprove patient care.
Glaucoma, one of the lead-
ing causes of blindness in
the Western world, often
causes a painless loss of vision,
so it frequently goes undetected.
Understanding the facts about
glaucoma and getting early treat-
ment can help preserve your vision
in later life. Dr. Christine Law of
the VA Hudson Valley Health Care
System clarifies some common
misconceptions about the disease.
Myth #1: Glaucoma only affects the elderly.
Although glaucoma mainly
affects the elderly, it can strike indi-
viduals of any age. Approximately
one in 10,000 babies are born with
glaucoma each year. Glaucoma also
tends to affect African-Americans
at a younger age than other races.
Myth #2: A person can detectglaucoma symptoms before heor she becomes affected.
Myth #3: All glaucoma can becured.
Despite many advances in treat-
ment, no cure exists yet for primary
open angle glaucoma. In most
cases, the disease can be managed
by eye drops or surgery to try to
reduce the eye’s pressure. This pre-
serves and maintains optic nerve
health and, therefore, the patient’s
vision. However, once vision is lost
to glaucoma, it cannot be restored.
Myth #4: If your eye pressure isless than 20 mm Hg, you don’thave glaucoma.
In the past, intraocular pressure
(IOP) was regarded as the most
important indicator of glaucoma.
But we now know that different
eyes have varying tolerances for
pressure. For example, in one eye,
a pressure of 25 mm Hg consistent-
ly shows no evidence of optic nerve
damage or vision loss. In another
eye, this pressure may cause signifi-
cant glaucomatous optic nerve
damage.
Get testedThe best way to pro-
tect yourself is to see
your eye-care profes-
sional regularly for a
complete eye health
examination, including
a stereoscopic—or binocu-
lar—view of the optic nerve
through a dilated pupil. “A com-
plete eye health evaluation is the
only way to check for glaucoma,”
Dr. Law says. ■
Unfortunately, the most com-
mon form of glaucoma—primaryopen angle glaucoma—is entirely
painless and can be symptom free
initially. Since glaucoma first affects
a person’s peripheral vision, and we
use both eyes at the same time to
see, one can overlook these early
changes.
4 • S U M M E R 2 0 0 3
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
Christine Law, O.D., VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, tells the facts about identifying andmanaging glaucoma.
Dispelling glaucomamyths BY CHRISTINE LAW, O.D.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a diseaseof the optic
nerve, which isessentially a cablecontaining abouta million fibersthat relay mes-sages from theeye’s retina to thebrain. As glaucomaprogresses, these fibersbegin to die, leading to loss ofvision. If undetected, they maycontinue to die, and, in somecases, lead to blindness.
The only
way to identify
glaucoma is
through a complete
eye health
evaluation.
Did you know your body
needs some dietary fat for
proper development and
functioning? Fats supply energy,
enable growth, help produce hor-
mones and carry the fat-soluble
vitamins A, D, E and K. Fats are
divided into three major categories:
saturated, monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated. Knowing which
fats benefit—or harm—your body
and consuming the right amounts
of each will help keep you healthy.
Go easy on saturated fatsSome studies have linked diets
high in saturated fat with an
increased risk of heart disease and
several cancers, including lung,
colon, rectal, breast, endometrial
and prostate. You find saturated
fats in animal sources like meat,
whole milk and cheese, and in
tropical oils such as coconut,
palm and palm kernel.
The National Cholesterol
Education Program (NCEP) rec-
ommends that you restrict your
saturated fat intake to 7 percent
of your calories. This means if
you consume 2,000 calories a day,
you should aim for no more than
15 grams of saturated fat. Also
avoid trans fats (trans fatty acids),
which are created by saturating
vegetable oils to increase the shelf
life of food. These fats increase
your LDL (bad) cholesterol, while
lowering your HDL (good) cho-
lesterol. To avoid trans fats, stay
away from shortening, commer-
oils contain it. The NCEP recom-
mends that about 10 percent of
your calories come from polyunsat-
urated fats—about 23 grams in a
2,000-calorie-a-day diet.
Find balanceConnie Tirado,
registered dietitian,
Hudson Valley Health
Care System, says, “Fat is neces-
sary for the body, but in the right
amounts. The NCEP now recom-
mends that 25 to 35 percent of
your calories come from fat—
primarily monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated, with a stricter
limit on saturated and a ban on
trans fats.”
To help achieve this balance, add
nuts on salad instead of cheese, use
olive or canola oil when pan frying
or sautéing and replace butter with
canola oil. For a healthy bread
spread, try olive oil, peanut butter,
roasted garlic or avocado slices. ■
cially prepared baked
goods, deep-fried foods,
chips, cookies, crackers,
margarine and salad
dressings. Also beware of
foods that list partially
hydrogenated oils as an
ingredient.
Help yourself to monounsaturated fats
Monounsaturated fats,
in contrast, are generally
considered to be
good for you.
You get them in olives,
olive oil, canola oil, avoca-
dos and nuts like almonds,
peanuts and pistachios.
Studies have found cultures
that consume a greater portion of
monounsaturated fat than other
fats have lower incidences of heart
disease and cancer.
One type of monounsaturated
fat, omega-3 fatty acid, is thought
to produce significant health bene-
fits. It’s found in salmon, rainbow
trout, mackerel and bluefish as well
as in canola oil, flaxseed and wal-
nuts. Recent evidence suggests that
just two to three 3-ounce servings
of fatty fish a week can benefit your
body.
Lower your cholesterol withpolyunsaturated fats
If you consume polyunsaturated
fats in place of saturated fats, you
can help lower your LDL choles-
terol. Many nuts, seeds and their
S U M M E R 2 0 0 3 • 5
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E
Fatten up your diet…the right way BY CONNIE TIRADO, R.D.
Connie Tirado, registered dietitian at Hudson Valley HealthCare System, helps patients get the right amounts of fatsto stay healthy.
It is estimated that we lose
1,500 veterans a day, and
their priceless stories are
going with them.
To prevent this from happening,
the Veterans History Project is
acquiring veterans’ and other citi-
zens’ personal stories to establish
a permanent collection—a lasting
legacy of recorded interviews and
documents chronicling war expe-
riences and how they affected
America. The project, supported
by the American Folklore Center,
which is part of the Library of
Congress, is now into its third year.
Veterans share storiesTypical of these personal his-
tories are poignant and personal
remembrances. During a recent
interview, an elderly marine offi-
cer’s eyes filled with tears as he
described a battlefield comrade’s
last moments of life: “ ... and I
looked into his eyes and knew he
was dead.” An Army Air Corps
veteran held a torn and stained
pair of army trousers and said,
“I was wearing these when the
Germans picked me up after I
bailed out of our bomber. That
stain is about where the doctor
had to take my foot off. I kept
them all these years.”
These stories and many more
like them are taken from taped
interviews with ex-servicemen and
women as part of the ongoing
project. The interviews are creat-
ing a record for future generations
and are available as research mate-
rial. “We are very excited to have
“We owe our veterans our
profound appreciation for their
sacrifices and services to our
nation and its future. We also
owe all our citizens an opportu-
nity to appreciate and honor
those men and women who have
protected our nation in the
gravest of times,” said James H.
Billington, who heads the Library
of Congress. “Together with the
help of all Americans, we can
honor our war veterans and cre-
ate a lasting body of documen-
tary materials that will inform
and educate our citizens in the
decades ahead.”
Stories will teach othersUltimately, the national collec-
tion of personal histories on
audio- and videotape—including
letters, maps, diaries, photographs
and home movies—will be of
immeasurable value to historians,
educators, students, authors and
filmmakers. The Library of
Congress will create a compre-
hensive, searchable catalog of all
materials collected as part of this
project so researchers and the pub-
lic will be able to access them.
Local veterans interested in being
interviewed can arrange an appoint-
ment at the VANJHCS Lyons cam-
pus by calling Mary Beth Hynoski
or Lillie Battle at (908) 604-5814.
Three teams of interviewers oper-
ate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays. Specify your choice of date
and time: 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. ■
an active role in this important
national program,” said Kenneth
H. Mizrach, Director of the
Department of Veterans Affairs
New Jersey Health Care System
(VANJHCS).
The ambitious project is being
conducted nationwide by a sup-
porting volunteer corps of inter-
viewers. Each videotaped interview
takes 90 minutes. Pictures and
other documents are recorded,
and copies are stored with each
veteran’s file. The veteran is later
supplied with a personal tape that
can be shared with friends and
family members.
4 • S U M M E R 2 0 0 3
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
Honoring veterans for their sacrifice
National History Projectkeeps memories alive
Servicemembers suffering from
war-related illnesses can get
better support and care,
thanks to the May 30 opening of
the East Orange War-Related Illness
and Injury Study Center (WRIISC).
The East Orange site was select-
ed for federal funding after a com-
petitive, scientific, peer-review
process. According to Kenneth H.
Mizrach, the Department of
Veterans Affairs New
Jersey Health Care
System (VANJHCS)
Director, “The pur-
pose of the WRIISC
is to address veterans’
health concerns relat-
ed to service in con-
flicts and improve the
care of active-duty
and veteran patients
with war-related ill-
nesses.” He added
that the East Orange
location is one of
only two such centers
in the country; the
other is at the VA
Medical Center in
Washington, D.C.
Shortly after the first Gulf War,
some servicemembers began to seek
care for a wide range of symptoms
they believed to be conflict-related.
In many cases, the military medical
community found it was not pre-
pared to deal with these health
issues, particularly when the pre-
senting symptoms did not fit with
a known disease.
The East Orange WRIISC is
developing appropriate strategies
The Department of VeteransAffairs New Jersey Health Care
System (VANJHCS) and MiddlesexCounty’s Economic OpportunitiesCorporation (MCEOC) announce thegrand opening of the MAVERIC GolfDriving Range and Learning Center,located on the Lyons campus.
The opening was celebrated ingrand style with a ribbon-cuttingceremony on Wednesday, May 14.James J. Farsetta, Network Director,VISN 3; William Holmes, Mayor ofBernards Township; CarrollThomas, Chief Executive Officer,MCEOC; Jim Baird, U.S. GolfAssociation; veteran stakeholders;Veterans Service Organization statecommanders; homeless veteranswho will benefit from the program;employees; and volunteers partici-pated in the event.
For more information aboutthe MAVERIC Golf Driving Rangeand Learning Center, please contact Veterans Industries at (908) 647-0180, ext. 4166. ■
that can be implemented before,
during and after future conflicts
and peacekeeping missions to mini-
mize illness and injury. It focuses
on medical evaluation, research,
risk communication and education
for military personnel. The educa-
tional component will train VA’s
healthcare providers to better
address and evaluate specific
deployment-related health issues.
The East Orange
WRIISC is academical-
ly affiliated with the
University of Medicine
and Dentistry of New
Jersey. Additionally,
it collaborates with the
Department of
Defense, including its
Deployment Health
Clinical Center, to
ensure that active-duty
military benefit as
much as veterans do.
The center replaced the
nationwide Gulf War
Referral Centers.
The East Orange
WRIISC is actively seek-
ing veterans with symp-
toms of no known medical cause,
such as fatigue and concentration
problems, that occurred during or
after their service. Veterans with
undiagnosed medical symptoms or
deployment-related health concerns
should—with their primary care
provider—request an evaluation
from the WRIISC so East Orange
WRIISC specialists can begin their
assessment. For more information,
call toll free at 1(800) 248-8005. ■
S U M M E R 2 0 0 3 • 5
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E
New center supportswar-related illnesses
Golf drivingrange opens
Above, left to right: Kenneth H.Mizrach, Director, VANJHCS;Benjamin H. Natelson, M.D.,Director, East Orange WRIISC;James J. Farsetta, NetworkDirector, VISN 3; Rodney P.Frelinghuysen, Congressman,11th District, N.J.; RobertBowser, Mayor, East Orange(partially hidden); and FrancesM. Murphy, M.D., M.P.H., VA’sDeputy Under Secretary forHealth for Health PolicyCoordination, kick off theWRIISC’s celebration.
Above, left to right: John Kuhn, Chief,Homeless/Domiciliary Services, VANJHCS; JimBaird, Agronomist, U.S. Golf Association; BobValentino, Marketing Director, MAVERIC; James J.Farsetta, Network Director, VISN 3; Kenneth H.Mizrach, Director, VANJHCS; and Carroll Thomas,CEO, MCEOC, celebrate the MAVERIC GolfDriving Range and Learning Center’s opening.
Everyone is at risk for skin
cancer. The most common
form of cancer, it strikes
1.2 million Americans each year
and accounts for half of all newly
diagnosed cancers. However, by
performing a monthly skin self-
exam, you can catch potentially
cancerous skin conditions when
they are still highly curable.
The head-to-toe examTo get started, you’ll need a
bright light, a hand mirror, a blow-
dryer, a full-length mirror and a
chair. Use the bright light to check
your entire body thoroughly.
• First inspect your face, ears,
head and the inside of your
mouth using the hand mirror.
The blow-dryer will help part
your hair for a closer look at
your scalp.
• Next, examine your hands
(including your fingernails and
palms), elbows, arms and under-
arms. Raise your arms and check
your right and left sides.
• Now examine your neck, chest
and 3 p.m., when the sun’s dam-
aging rays are strongest.
• Rain or shine, always wear sun-
screen with an SPF (sun protection
factor) of at least 15. Apply 20
minutes before going outside
to allow your skin to absorb
the cream.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and
clothes that completely cover
you, including a long-sleeved
shirt and a long skirt or pants.
• Sport sunglasses that offer UV
protection.
Veterans with concerns about
skin cancer are encouraged to
speak with their Northport VA
Medical Center primary care
provider. ■
and torso. If you’re a woman,
check beneath your breasts. Use
the hand mirror to carefully look
at your back, shoulders and the
back of your neck.
• In the full-length mirror, focus
on your buttocks and the backs
of your legs. Sit down on your
chair and examine your genitals.
Inspect your legs and feet, includ-
ing your heels, soles, toenails and
the area between your toes.
What to look forIf you notice any of the fol-
lowing skin changes, see your
physician immediately. He or she
can determine if the condition
needs further medical attention:
• any new growths, including
sores, lesions, nodules and
pearly, waxy, colored or suspi-
cious bumps that may or may
not cause pain
• a change in a spot or in skin
color, itching, scaling, bleeding,
pain or tenderness
When examining moles, follow
the “ABCD” checklist. (See “Is
Your Mole Malignant?” on this
page.)
Help prevent skin cancerThese days, ozone depletion
means the sun’s UV rays can do
more damage than ever. Yet taking
these simple protective measures
can prevent up to 80 percent of
skin cancers.
• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m.
4 • S U M M E R 2 0 0 3
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
Is your mole malignant?
To identify potential malignan-cies in moles, follow this
“ABCD” checklist: • Asymmetry. One half doesn’tmatch the other in shape. • Border. The mole isn’t round,but irregular—with ragged,notched or blurred edges.• Color. The mole is not a normal, uniform brown but is instead a varying shade(or shades) of tan, brown, black,red, blue, blue-black or white.• Diameter. The mole is about thesize of a pencil eraser—a quarterinch in diameter.
A recently proposed addition tothis rule includes “E” for elevationor enlargement of the mole.
Skin check:A Northport VAMC
step-by-step guide to skin self-exam
From the Revolutionary
War to present day Iraq,
American servicemen and
women have never hesitated to
fight for—and die for—our
nation’s security and freedom.
While we remember our war
dead with ceremonies and visits
to national cemeteries, not
enough attention is paid to our
American Gold Star Mothers,
women who have suffered the
supreme sacrifice of motherhood
by losing a son or a daughter to
war. On the 75th anniversary of
Northport VA Medical Center,
Director Robert S. Schuster and
Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans
of America, Chapter 11, dedicated
a Gold Star Mother Monument in
VA’s main lobby in the presence of
National President of the American
Gold Star Mothers Dorothy
Oxendine.
Upon learning of Schuster’s
wish to establish a Gold Star
Mother Monument at Northport
VA, Richard Kitson, President of
the Vietnam Veterans of America,
Chapter 11, and the VVA Board
of Directors insisted on funding
the tribute. ■
S U M M E R 2 0 0 3 • 5
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E
Above, left to right: Anthony J. Principi, Secretaryof Veterans Affairs; Richard Kitson, President ofthe Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 11; andDorothy Oxendine, National President of theAmerican Gold Star Mothers, hold a replica at theunveiling of the Gold Star Mother Monument.
Northport VA says‘thank you’ to volunteers
On Tuesday, May 6,Northport VA Medical
Center held its annualVolunteer Luncheon andRecognition Ceremony atthe well-known HuntingtonTownhouse. More than 500volunteers and their spousesdined, danced and were hon-ored by the VA staff for valu-able contributions of time andtalent throughout the year.
If you are interested infinding out more about volunteer opportunities atNorthport VAMC, call (631) 261-4400, ext. 7183. ■
Above, left to right: Rosie A. Chatman, R.N.,VAMC Associate Director for PatientCare/Nursing Service; James A. Clark,Associate Medical Center Director; ThelmaCole-Reid, U.S. Women’s Army Corps veteran and dedicated VAMC volunteer; andEdward J. Mack, M.D., VAMC Chief of Staff,pose at Northport VAMC’s annual VolunteerRecognition Ceremony.
Gold Star Mothertribute at Northport VAMC
A New York Harbor
Healthcare System spon-
sored the 7th Annual
National Cancer Survivors Day
on June 1 at the Brooklyn cam-
pus. Despite the rain, approxi-
mately 150 veterans, family
members and community resi-
dents attended this celebration
honoring veteran cancer sur-
vivors, cancer care physicians
and clinical and research staff.
Speakers at the Survivors
Day ceremony included veteran
George Archer, who receives can-
cer care at both the New York
and Brooklyn campuses. Archer
spoke of his struggle and accep-
tance of his disease. WABC TV
Channel 7 News anchor David
Ushery, WABC TV Channel 7
News producer Darcy Bonfils and
WOR Radio host Arthur Schwartz
also addressed the audience and
discussed how this disease has
touched their friends and families.
Dr. Simberkoff, Executive Chief
of Staff, provided the keynote
address. He noted the outstanding
cancer care team at VANYHHS
and the personal courage, strength
and inspiration that veterans with
cancer possess.
The Radiation Oncology
Service at the Brooklyn campus
of VANYHHS recently under-
went renovation, doubling the
service’s size to nearly 11,000
square feet. Improvements includ-
ed adding and updating inpatient
and outpatient examination,
treatment and waiting rooms. ■
4 • S U M M E R 2 0 0 3
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
V
1. Approximately 150 guests attend the 7thAnnual Cancer Survivors Day ceremony.
2. VA staff provides educational materials and screenings.
3. Left to right: WABC TV Channel 7 Newsproducer Darcy Bonfils, Executive Chief ofStaff Dr. Simberkoff, WABC TV Channel 7News anchor David Ushery and WOR Radiohost Arthur Schwartz share their experiences.
4. Veteran George Archer addresses theCancer Survivors Day audience.
Cancer survivors celebrate
1
2 3
4
t VA New York Harbor
Healthcare System, we set
high standards for how we
perform, diagnose and treat illness
and injury. Patient assessments,
medication use, operative proce-
dures, patient rights, staff qualifica-
tions, laboratory and emergency
services, infection control and social
services are only some of the ser-
vices that both the Veterans Health
Administration and independent
accreditation agencies evaluate.
Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO). Accreditation by the
JCAHO is a recognized nation-
wide symbol of quality that
shows our organization has met
or exceeded certain performance
standards. To earn and maintain
this accreditation, VANYHHS
must undergo an on-site survey
by a Joint Commission survey
team at least every three years.
Accreditation requires a com-
mitment to provide excellence in
healthcare to meet the accrediting
agencies’ rigorous standards.
With these achievements, VANY-
HHS continues to lead the way in
delivering the highest quality
healthcare to metropolitan New
York/New Jersey veterans. ■
We are proud to be recognized
by a number of agencies that
accredit hospitals and hospital
services, among them the Joint
S U M M E R 2 0 0 3 • 5
V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E
Obtaining refills for pre-
scription medications has
never been easier. Use one
of the following three options 10
days before you run out!
• First, when at any of VA
New York Harbor Healthcare
System campuses, drop off your
prescription refill request slips in
boxes located near the outpatient
pharmacies.
• Second, mail your refill
requests to any of our campuses.
Once received, requests will be
bar-coded into our computer sys-
tem and then transferred to our
Consolidated Mailout Pharmacy.
Your medications will be mailed
to your home.
• Third, use the tele-
phone for refill requests.
Two toll-free telephone
numbers provide auto-
mated service 24 hours
a day, seven days a
week, and cost nothing
to use. Simply dial
1(888) 207-2004 or
1(888) 216-9094, punch
in your Social Security
number and follow the
directions. You can check
the status of your request
day or night.
If you do not have a touch-tone
phone, choose the option to speak
with a live attendant during normal
working hours. During periods of
peak calls or when the outpatient
pharmacy is closed, use the voice
mail option and leave a message.
You will receive a call back.
Rest assured that a registered
pharmacist checks your medica-
tion history, proper dosing and
potential drug interactions,
one by one, to ensure your
safety. Still, please remember
that you are a partner in your
healthcare and always educate
yourself before you medicate.
And, again, remember to use
one of the above methods 10
days before you run out of
medicine. ■
Refill your prescriptions with ease
Agencies accreditingVANYHHS include:• Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations• College of American Pathologists • Commission on Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities-Physical Rehabilitation
• Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities-Psychosocial Rehabilitation
• American College of Surgeons’Commission on Cancer
• American College of Radiology• VHA-Clinical Program of Excellence
in Cardiac Surgery• VHA-Clinical Program of Excellence
in HIV• VHA-Clinical Program of Excellence
in Medical Rehabilitation• VHA-Clinical Program of Excellence
in Renal Dialysis
Ensuring quality care at
VANYHHS
A
NY/NJ Veterans Integrated ServiceNetwork 3130 W. Kingsbridge RoadVISN OfficeBronx, NY 10468
http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LEBANON JUNCTION, KY
PERMIT NO. 19
BronxMedical Center:
130 West Kingsbridge RoadBronx, NY 10468(718) 584-9000
Community Clinics:23 South Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601(914) 421-1951
124 New Main StreetYonkers, NY 10701
(914) 375-8055
41-03 Queens BoulevardSunnyside, NY 11104
(718) 741-4800
953 Southern BoulevardBronx, NY 10459(718) 741-4900
VA NY Harbor Health Care System
Medical Centers:Brooklyn Campus
800 Poly PlaceBrooklyn, NY 11209
(718) 836-6600
New York Campus423 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010(212) 686-7500
VA Primary and Extended Care Center179th Street & Linden Boulevard
St. Albans, NY 11425(718) 526-1000
Community Clinics:40 Flatbush Extension—8th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201(718) 439-4300
21 Water StreetStaten Island, NY 10304
(718) 630-3550
55 West 125th Street—11th FloorNew York, NY 10027
(212) 828-5265
245 West Houston StreetNew York, NY 10014
(212) 337-2569
1413 Fulton StreetBrooklyn, NY 11216
(718) 636-4500
VA New Jersey Health Care System
Medical Centers:East Orange Campus385 Tremont Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07018-1095(973) 676-1000
Lyons Campus151 Knollcroft Road
Lyons, NJ 07939(908) 647-0180
Community Clinics:970 Route 70
Brick, NJ 08724(732) 206-8900
654 East Jersey Street—Suite 2AElizabeth, NJ 07206
(908) 994-0120
171 Jersey Street—Building 36Trenton, NJ 08611-2425
(609) 989-2355
385 Prospect AvenueHackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 487-1390
115 Christopher Columbus DriveJersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 435-3055
317 George StreetNew Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 729-0646
540 West Hanover AvenueMorris Plains, NJ 07950
(973) 539-9791(973) 539-9794
20 Washington PlaceNewark, NJ 07102
(973) 645-1441
Patterson Army Health ClinicBuilding 1075, Stephenson Avenue
Fort Monmouth, NJ 07703732-532-4483
VA Hudson Valley Health Care System
Medical Centers:Montrose Campus
Route 9A/P.O. Box 100Montrose, NY 10548-0100
(914) 737-4400
Castle Point CampusCastle Point, NY 12511
(845) 831-2000
Community Clinics:275 Broadway
Monticello, NY 12601(845) 791-4936
150 Pike StreetPort Jervis, NY 12771
(845) 856-5396
20 Squadron BoulevardNew City, NY 10970
(845) 634-8942
110 Crystal Run RoadMiddletown, NY 10949
(845) 692-0551
488 Freedom Plains RoadPoughkeepsie, NY 12603
(845) 452-5151
1875 Route 6Warwick Savings Bank—2nd Floor
Carmel, NY 10512(845) 228-5291
VA Mobile ClinicCall 1 (800) 269-8749
Northport (Long Island)Medical Center:
79 Middleville RoadNorthport, NY 11768
(631) 261-4400
Mental Health Clinics:235 Merrick Road
Lynbrook, NY 11563(516) 887-3666 (Mon. & Thurs. only)
98 Hubbard AvenueRiverhead, NY 11901
(631) 727-7171 (Thurs. only)
560 N. Delaware AvenueLindenhurst, NY 11757
(631) 884-1133 (Tues. only)
39 Nassau AvenueIslip, NY 11751
(631) 581-5330 (Wed. only)
4 Phyllis DrivePatchogue, NY 11772
(631) 475-6610 (Tues. & Fri. only)
Mt. Sinai Community CenterNorth Country RoadMt. Sinai, NY 11766
(631) 473-4068 (Mon. only)
23 Foster AvenueSayville, NY 11782
(631) 563-1105 (Thurs. only)
1425 Old Country RoadPlainview, NY 11803
(516) 572-8567 (Tues., Wed. & Fri. only)
Primary Care Component:4 Phyllis Drive
Patchogue, NY 11772(631) 758-4419
(Mon., Wed., Thurs. & Fri. only)
1425 Old Country RoadPlainview, NY 11803
(516) 694-6008 (Mon.–Fri.)
Westhampton Air Base(by appointment only)
150 Old Riverhead RoadWesthampton, NY 11978
Where Y O U C A NF I N D U S — A N Y T I M E